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The nation is celebrating the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar with great enthusiasm. Baba Saheb was born on April 14, 1891. His contributions—ranging from leading movements against untouchability and drafting the Constitution to formulating labour policies, establishing legal frameworks, and empowering women—will be remembered forever. He remained steadfastly committed to the principles of democracy and the Constitution. He consistently advocated that all national issues should be resolved exclusively through democratic means and within the constitutional framework. A lifelong proponent of liberty, equality, and fraternity, he firmly believed in the power of justice and rights for all. Speaking on December 25, 1952, he stated, “In the modern era, property rights constitute the very essence of freedom. Until women are recognized as rightful heirs to property, their subjugation will not come to an end.” At a time when the nation is commemorating Baba Saheb’s birth anniversary, Parliament is taking a historic step by convening a special session to pass the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, aimed at empowering women and ensuring their 33 percent representation in the democratic process. It appears that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is, in essence, fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and other visionary leaders.
In Indian thought, viewing men and women as fundamentally distinct entities has never been the prevailing perspective; rather, both are perceived as embodying the same essential spirit. Differences are recognized only in their physical constitution. To firmly entrench this worldview within society, our sages and seers elevated the status of women by venerating them as ‘Adi Shakti’ (the Primordial Power) and through concepts such as ‘Ardhanarishvara’ (the composite form of Shiva and Parvati).
This spirit of reverence for women is eloquently articulated in numerous Vedic mantras, such as “Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devatah”—“Where women are honored, there the deities rejoice.” The Vedas also chronicle the contributions of numerous female sages—known as ‘Rishikas’—such as Maitreyi, Apala, Lopamudra, Gargi, and Aditi, who played significant roles in the realm of knowledge and education. Many women also emerged as icons of good governance and social reform. Furthermore, Indian women made immense sacrifices, even laying down their lives through active participation in the freedom struggle. At a time when the Western world was still engaged in debates over granting women the right to vote and equality, our Constitution-makers upheld this ancient Indian ethos by granting women equal rights—on par with men—from the very inception of our Republic.
Addressing the Dalit Women’s Conference in Nagpur on July 20, 1942, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar stated, “The progress of any society is measured by the extent of women’s progress within that society.” In 1927, while addressing women from the so-called ‘untouchable’ community, he remarked that just as a husband and wife resolve household issues together, men and women must likewise join forces to
Numerous Vedic mantras, such as “Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devatah”—“Where women are honored, there the deities rejoice.” The Vedas also chronicle the contributions of numerous female sages—known as ‘Rishikas’—such as Maitreyi, Apala, Lopamudra, Gargi, and Aditi, who played significant roles in the realm of knowledge and education
address the challenges facing society. He added, “You are the very creators of men.” It is impossible to overlook the contributions of Shanti Bai Dani, Geeta Bai Gaikwad, and Meenal to the movement led by Babasaheb to secure land rights for landless farmers.
Babasaheb made a monumental contribution to women’s empowerment by spearheading the enactment of laws that established the legal age of marriage at 18, granted legal recognition to monogamous unions, and secured the right to adoption. The provision of maternity leave for pregnant women stands as a direct legacy of his efforts. He also played a pivotal role in enshrining the right to equality between men and women—as well as equal rights and equal pay for women in employment—within Articles 14 to 16 of the Constitution.
His association with the Hindu Code Bill— which sought to grant women the right to divorce, protection against polygamy, and equal property rights on par with sons—is well known. His disagreement with the then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, over this legislation was a significant factor that ultimately led to his resignation from the Cabinet.
Babasaheb did not advocate solely for Hindu women; he championed the rights of Muslim women with equal conviction. As early as 1928, he asserted that “it is in the national interest that a mother receives rest both before and after childbirth.” He was also responsible for introducing India’s first Maternity Benefit Bill.
Since 2014, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has undertaken numerous initiatives for women’s empowerment, guided by the resolve of ‘Nari Tu Narayani’.
His efforts—aimed at fostering social awareness, improving the gender ratio, ensuring social dignity, facilitating economic empowerment, and promoting women’s leadership— are noteworthy.
A historic initiative has been the construction of 110 million toilets—aptly termed ‘Izzatghar’— undertaken with a deep understanding of the hardships faced by women. Measures such as providing piped water to every household, granting women ownership rights under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign have not only contributed to an improvement in the gender ratio but have also helped shift societal attitudes that once viewed daughters as a burden.
Numerous schemes—such as Start-up initiatives, the Mudra Yojana, Jan Dhan accounts (with over 55 percent female participation), Stand-Up India, Self-Help Groups (involving more than 100 million women), and the Lakhpati Didi initiative— have significantly empowered women in the economic sphere.
Women leading the Republic Day Parade, expanded opportunities within the armed forces, the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative, and women conducting press briefings for operations such as ‘Operation Sindoor’ have further enhanced the respect accorded to women. Furthermore, legislation abolishing Triple Talaq has helped instill a sense of confidence among women in the Muslim community.
With the objective of ensuring that women are not confined merely to casting votes but also actively participate in the decision-making process, Parliament is taking a historic step from April 16 to 18. This long-pending legislation was passed by the Modi government in 2023, and the Union Cabinet granted its approval to the Constitutional Amendment Bill on April 8, 2026. With parliamentary approval for a 33 percent share in democratic representation, this measure is set to significantly empower women. Consequently, women— who constitute nearly 50 percent of the nation’s population— will be better positioned to contribute actively to the country’s development.
The vision of women’s dignity that Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar articulated nearly a century ago— and sought to realize through the Constitution and Parliament— is, today, being brought closer to fruition under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. If all opposition parties extend their support to the passage of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan’ Act, in response to his call, it would serve as a true tribute to Babasaheb on his birth anniversary.
({The writer is National Joint General Secretary (Organization), BJP})